Brownstoner Upstate: More Bang for Your Buck in Sullivan County

When our thoughts turn toward the Catskill Mountains, Sullivan County is the first place that comes to mind. From factory area to tourism hub in the Borscht Belt, Sullivan, which boasts a population of around 76,000 as of 2012, has seen its share of hardships and bumps in the road. But when city-dwellers began to head north after 9/11, they discovered hidden Catskills gems like Narrowsburg, Callicoon, and Livingston Manor. Slowly but surely, people are catching on, despite Sullivan’s economic struggles and its difficulties reinventing itself after the resort town boom came and went. While it’s difficult to find work in the county (and in upstate New York in general; Sullivan is not unique), housing prices make the idea of commuting two hours (plus or minus) to the boroughs and back again appealing…at least for the weekend. Today, we found four properties in Sullivan County that are under $200,000, attractive, and less than 2.5 hours from Brooklyn.

This sweet five-figure Victorian is in Livingston Manor, walking distance to the local public library, a cafe, a Chinese place, and the Catskill Art Society. It’s also FannieMae Homepath property, which could help line you up with a mortgage even if you thought you couldn’t afford it. Interior looks ship-shape and spacious, and it includes a walk-up attic. We wish there was a picture of the kitchen. Beds: 4. Baths: 1.5. Square Feet: 2,474. Lot Size: .22 acres. Est. Taxes: $3,469.

16 Church Street, Livingston Manor (Lad Realty) GMAP

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Fancy a monthly mortgage payment of around $200? Here’s your chance in the village of Monticello, the Sullivan County seat. Monticello is an intriguing place: It’s seen fires that ravaged parts of the town, as well as the boom and bust of factories and later, resorts. However, some very dedicated folks are intent on bringing back Monticello, starting with a Broadway revitalization project. But back to the house. The pictures are pretty bad, so we don’t have a good handle on what state it’s in, but it’s qualified for a FannieMae Homepath Renovation loan. We like the original wood trim and the front porch. Beds: 3. Baths: 2. Square Feet: 1,576. Lot Size: .16 acres. Est. Taxes: $5,123.

19 Lake Street, Monticello (Lad Realty) GMAP

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Here’s an inexpensive option with some privacy to go with it in the town of Bethel, home of the first Woodstock Music Festival and the Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center. It’s also just down the road a piece from White Lake, and it’s situated on a full acre of land. It seems solid, the kitchen is big, and there’s a wood stove in the living room. It’s got the makings of a peaceful Catskill Mountains country getaway for a reasonable price. Beds: 3. Baths: 2. Square Feet: 1,466. Lot Size: 1 acre. Est. Taxes: $3,800.

50 Mattison Road, Bethel (Malek Properties) GMAP

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The town of Mamakating is in southeastern Sullivan County, and this circa-1820 is in the hamlet of Burlingham just outside of Ulster County. We like the interior of this country property more than the exterior, but we certainly appreciate that it’s on a plot of land that’s over a half-acre, plenty of room to plant gardens. The home was recently renovated in 2008. The Old Grist Mill Restaurant on the Shawangunk Kill is walking distance from here, and there’s a waterfall there. Beds: 3. Baths: 1.5. Square Feet: 1,587. Lot Size: .61 acres. Est. Taxes: $3,822.

51 Hamilton Road, Mamakating (Rita Levine) GMAP

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